Kwara warns against private treatment of COVID-19 cases

By : Odun Edward, Ilorin

Date: 22 January 2021 5:03am WAT

A member of the medical staff puts on protective equipment as they prepare to enter the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) to tend to patients affected by the COVID-19, caused by the novel coronavirus, at the Machakos County Level-5 hospital in Machakos on July 28, 2020. - Kenyan President on July 27, 2020 banned the sale of alcohol in restaurants after noting an "aggressive surge" in COVID-19 cases among young people who were socialising "particularly in environments serving alcohol". (Photo by Simon MAINA / AFP)

Kwara State Government has cautioned private and public health practitioners in the state against treatment of both symptomatic and asymptomatic cases of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in their facilities.

In a statement entitled, ‘Recommendation for Physicians in Public and Private Hospitals on Management Protocol for COVID-19 in Kwara State’, the Deputy Governor/Chairman Technical Committee on COVID-19, Mr. Kayode Alabi, said in Ilorin yesterday that only designated centres for the treatment of the disease in the state should treat suspected and confirmed patients of the pandemic.

Alabi, while urging the residents to adhere strictly to all COVID-19 safety protocols, charged the medical personnel to assume that every patient remained a potential COVID-19 case.

When in doubt, such patients could be immediately referred to COVID-19/Infectious Disease Centre, Sobi, Alagbado, Ilorin, for assessment, he added.

Within the state capital, the sampling unit is located at Covid-19/Infectious Disease Centre Sobi, while dedicated sampling centres are located at councils headquarters. Sampling runs from 9a.m. to 5p.m. daily, weekends inclusive, The Guardian learnt

“Results are expected from 24 hours after sampling. For negative results, appropriate management should be based on existing protocol.

“For positive results (i), if asymptomatic, please refer patients to COVID-19/Infectious Disease Centre, Sobi, for counselling, assessment, and treatment – after which patients should self-isolate in their respective homes for 14 days from day of sampling.”